One Step Behind the Seraphim

I came back home a few hours ago from the cinema where I saw this movie and I still think about it. It made me write my first review so please don't be harsh. This was for sure the most interesting movie made in Romania (by far) - and I tried to watch them all! I had a lot of fun, the crowd reacted so good at this movie, it was for the first time when I felt like home at the cinema! The story shows the truth behind what can happen in a Priests school in a very intelligent and funny way. In some of the situations I even saw myself in high- school skipping school and run to the billiard club, all the smoking and experience sex from the first time. So many things happen in this movie that I even wish for a sequel or even a TV series based on this story. The performance of the young actors (and not only) from this movie was VERY credible. I recommend all of u who question themselves if this one worth to be seen to go and watch it and then, if they don't feel the same like me to answer this review :) I can't understand why I didn't saw advertising true the city about this movie, it's absolutely brilliant - other movies have huge advertising campaigns, but don't even worth the drive to the cinema.

Finally a new take on romanian movies. Loved the story, the acting and the actors, very very good job!!

I dreaded that the film is going to be about another over-dramatised and falsely advertised misconducts in the Orthodox Church BUT it wasn't! I dislike commercial films where you're forced to give up one and a half hour from your life or even more for another cliché ending or nothing. The actors play their roles authentically, the story could have been detailed more and the ending is gripping as well. Music in films are important to me, so it's well chosen and makes you think a bit about the film next day after you've watched it. I recommend it!

This was pretty good, I really liked how the producers realized everything. It was very thrilling, with some cliches, but, still, very good for Romanian potential. Good job for the crew, regarding the cast, most of the young actors played some interesting roles and the storyline is very dramatic. I recommend this for every movie enthusiast that is looking for something new, because, I repeat, this is Romanian cinematography and, it is far different from other countries.

In all honesty, Vlad Ivanov's name is the only thing which attracted me to watch "A step behind the seraphim". The director is unknown to me and so are the rest of the cast, except a cameo by Anca Sigartau- I guess. But this review is not about Vlad Ivanov, excellent in his rendering a deeply corrupt and devious priest/teacher; all the characters embodied by this actor are flawlessly acted. I find it odd that I never heard about this film before, as if there was a conspiracy to keep it under the lid- I wonder why... What seems extraordinary is how this film tackles a delicate issue- religion always seems to be a delicate issue to deal with, especially when the approach is objective and critical. A high school for future priests, a community of teen- aged boys in the throes of adolescence, a teacher who is everything but holy, an environment reminding of the communist epoch, with its double standards for thinking and expressing oneself, a place where a wolf in a sheep skin's will prevails over the one most crucial element that should be taught- true belief for those meant to inspire simple mortals in church- the film is about all these tangled and tormented human beings. Although quite long, the film keeps you interested, almost on the edge of your seat so to speak, due to the relentless efforts of priest Ivan to play everyone else like puppets. Faith is only a facade, the boys start to realize it rather early in their formative years. It is all about getting information, either written under duress or obtained through confession and using it against one's enemies, it's about power and dominance. Without openly stating it, the film offers explanations concerning why so many priests fail to be convincing in the act of faith, why the Orthodox church is more about money than anything else. Confused teenagers, stern or even violent parents, a closed environment where lies, deceit and manipulation prevail, hypocritical or weak teachers- this is a destructive cocktail meant to impede the access to authentic faith, rather than be an incentive to believe and to preach it. Most of the cast are young boys, clearly not actors, but their acting is so compelling, their dialogues are so convincing- a rather rare bird in Romanian movies- the imagery combining smoothly the oppressive inside of the high school and the picturesque lands around it, these are all elements working together to make "A step behind the seraphim" a remarkable Romanian film. Kudos to the whole crew!